P5 - Prepare And Stain A Root Tip Squash To Observe The Stages Of Mitosis.

Question 1

What Apparatus Is Required In This Investigation?
(11 Points)

Answer 1

~ Roots of onions or garlic.

~ Microscope slide.

~ Cover slip.

~ 1M hydrophilic acid.

~ Stain.

~ Paper towel.

~ Scalpel blade.

~ Cutting tile.

~ Water bath at 60oc.

~ Boiling tube.

~ Optical microscope.

Question 2

Describe The Process Of This Investigation
(7 Points)

Answer 2

~ Prepare a boiling tube, of 1M HCL, and place in a water bath at 60oc for 10 mins.

~ Remove 1cm tips of roots and place in warmed HCL, for 5 mins.

~ Rinse tips well in cold water, using a pipette, and blot dry with a paper towel.

~ Cut 2mm of the tip, and place it onto a microscope slide.

~ Add a drop of stain.

~ Stained root tip is gently squashed, on a class slide.

~ View under a microscope.

Question 3

What Is Meant By ‘Mitotic Index’?

Answer 3

Proportion of cells, undergoing mitosis.

Question 4

How Do You Calculate Mitotic Index?

Answer 4

No. Of Cells With Visible Chromosomes / Total No. Of Cells